1993:012 - MOOGHAUN FORT, Mooghaun South, Clare

A total of 10 weeks' work were carried out in 1993. The main focus of excavation, part of the North Munster Project of The Discovery Programme, was within the south-east quadrant of the inner enclosure and along the outer rampart on the northern side. At least two phases of activity were identified in the inner enclosure. A short-term presence in the Neolithic is represented by a hollow-based chert arrowhead as well as flint and chert flakes and blades. There was evidence, in the form of rotary querns, animal bone, iron slag and a bronze pin stem with silver inlay, for occupation in the early centuries AD but it was not possible to identify any structural evidence associated with this material. Further work took place within the outer enclosure on the northern side and a section was excavated through the outer rampart. This revealed a sequence of building stages involving the inner stone bank, an outer ditch and an outer earth and stone bank. There was no associated archaeological material but charcoal samples from under the main bank may provide dating evidence for the construction of the hillfort. A further season is planned for 1994.

Note: Interim reports on the 1992 season are published in Excavations 1992, 5; and in Discovery Programme Reports 1, 39-43, The Discovery Programme/Royal Irish Academy, 1993.

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